Brain abscess secondary to cyanogenic congenital heart disease

Abstract

Cyanogenic congenital heart diseases (CCHD) are the most important predisposing factor in the appearance of brain abscess in childhood. The diagnosis of brain abscess in initial phase is difficult since it is often confused with other neurological conditions such as brain tumor, infarctions or bleeding, as occurred in our case. Cranial CT scan with contrast is the examination of choice for early diagnosis in any child with CCHD who presents neurological symptoms. MRI with spectroscope may be of great held in doubtful cases. Diagnosis and early treatment clearly decrease the mortality and morbidity of this disease, make it possible to initiate treatment as early as possible, a fact that is correlated with better prognosis. We present the case of a child with CCHD and neurological symptoms of acute and recurrent beginning, secondary to brain abscess and whose diagnosis offered serious doubts in the initial phases.